Battle Preparations of the Pandavas

Introduction

Let us recollect the story of the three Kasi princes, Amba, Ambika and Ambalika, whom Bhishma took by force for his step brother, Vichitravirya. Dhritarashtra was born to Ambika and Pandu to Ambalika.

The eldest princess, Amba, was neither accepted by Vichitravirya nor by her lover, the king Salva of Soubha. She, finally, took her own life vowing that she would take revenge on Bhishma in the next birth for ruining her life. She was born as a daughter to king Drupada and, by a change of sex, became a male with name Sikhandi. It was widely known that sikhandi’s mission in life was to kill Bhishma. Let us remember that Drupada already had a son by name Dhrishtadyumna as a result of his prayers to avenge for the insult he received from Drona.

It is also useful to know of the composition of a standard army division deployed those days. It was called an Akshouhini and it comprised 21870 soldiers in chariots, as many on elephants, thrice that number on horse back and five times the number on foot. It has its sub-divisions starting from as few as ten soldiers with the same composition as in an Akshouhini bearing names like Patti, Senamukham, Gulmam and so on.

Krishna back in Upaplavya

Krishna returned empty handed from the Kauravas, though he tried all means to avoid war. He reported the matter to Yudhishthira and told him that war with the Kauravas was the only recourse.

Yudhishthira anticipated this. So, did the other Pandavas. The urgent need of the occasion was to organize the army at their disposal in battle array. There were seven divisions (Akshouhinis) ready to fight on the Pandava side. Yudhishthira suggested the names of Drupada, Virata, Dhrishtadyumna, Sikhandi, Chekitana, Satyaki and Bhimasena to command them. Chekitana was a prominent Yadava of the same Vrishni clan to which Krishna belonged.

The Pandava General

There were no two opinions on the choice of the commanders. Each of them was outstanding in his own right. Who should be the general of the entire army? Yudhishthira sought the opinion of each of his brothers on this. Each suggested differently finding special qualities in the candidate of his choice. Arjuna suggested Dhrishtadyumna. Yudhishthira asked Krishna about his preference. Krishna agreed with Arjuna that it was the Panchala prince who had an edge over the others for the overall command of the army. That sealed the matter and Dhrishtadyumna was appointed the commander in chief of the Pandava army.

The announcement of war and of the name of the army commanders was welcomed by the soldiers waiting for action with shouts of joy. They blew trumpets and beat on drums and raised battle cries. The veterans like Arjuna and Krishna blew their conch shells. The commanders ordered the divisions to move to Kurukshetra, a vast flat ground near Hastinapura. The river, Hiranvati, flowed nearby. The army moved like a big sea of soldiers engulfing the whole area it passed through.

Yudhishthira asked master craftsmen to prepare suitable temporary shelters for the kings and the ordinay soldiers and for their attendants. Krishna ordered a moat to be dug all around the army camp.

Then, all got into the task of getting their weapons sharpened and ready for action.

We shall learn about the Kaurava preparations in the next episode.

Kunti with Karna

Krishna next went to meet Karna alone. He told Karna of his birth to Kunti when she was, still, a maiden. Karna was, thus, the eldest of the Pandavas and it was right on his part to fight along with his brothers.

Krishna continued, saying that the Pandavas would welcome him with open arms. Being the eldest, he would become the king and enjoy the support of all.

Karna replied. “Krishna, I knew of my birth. But, remember that my mother abandoned me while I was merely a baby. It was Adhiratha (the charioteer of the Kauravas) and his wife, Radha, who found me and brought me up. As far as I am concerned, they are my parents. It was thanks to Duryodhana that I now enjoy a royal status. In return, I have promised my unquestioned support to him, more so to face Arjuna in war. I know that you are talking out of concern for me. But, I shall not change sides at any cost”.

Krishna told Karna that the Pandavas would ultimately win the war that was imminent. Karna knew that also. But, he was not afraid of death. He would ascend to heaven that was due for warriors who stood firm in battles. He would meet Krishna again there.

With those words the two embraced each other and parted company.

Kunti with Karna

Vidura reported the failed mission of Krishna to Kunti. He was worried about the total destruction that was sure to happen.

Kunti’s thoughts immediately went to her first born, Karna. What a pity that he was with the Kauravas! She thought that she would face her son and talk directly to him.

Kunti found Karna on the shores of river Ganga performing his morning prayers. She waited patiently for her son to finish his worship of the rising sun.

When Karna opened his eyes he found the Pandava queen waiting. He smiled and greeted her with the words, “I, the son of Radha and Adhiratha, prostrate before you”.

Kunti said. “You are not the son of Radha. You are my son”. She knew that Karna was aware of his true birth. So, without going through the past, she simply asked her son to join his brothers in battle. It is said that words came down from the sun god (who was also Karna’s real father) at that time supporting Kunti’s view.

Karna replied. “You did not do your duty as mother when I needed your support most. You abandoned me to keep your image in tact. I owe everything that I have to Duryodhana. What will people say, if I abandon him at this crucial time, when he needs my help most? I am not afraid of defeat or even death. I shall face your sons boldly in war. But, you have come to me with a request. I give you one promise. I shall spare the lives of all your sons, except that of Arjuna. Whether it is I or Arjuna who survive, you will be left with five sons at the end ”.
There was nothing more to talk to her son who remained steadfast in his resolve. So, Kunti blessed her son and left him with a heavy heart.

Meanwhile, Krishna returned to Upaplavya (where the Pandavas lived) and reported the failed peace talks in detail to Yudhishthira. He said that hoping for peace with the Kauravas was futile. The time had come for the Pandavas to face them in battle.

Thus ends the chapter on “Krishna’s journey to Hastinapura (Bhagavad Yaana Parvam)”.

Duryodhana adamant

Dhritarashtra was unnerved after listening to the words of the eminent sages. He told Krishna that he had tried to advise his son on several occasions to have peace with the Pandavas, but, Duryodhana would not listen to him. He requested Krishna to talk sense to his son.

Krishna spoke words meant to pacify the Kaurava. He stressed the importance of following the righteous path. He pointed out that the entire Kaurava army, even though vast and lead by veterans like Bhishma and Drona, would be no match for Arjuna supported by himself. So, peace with the Pandavas was the wisest course of action for the Kauravas. Bhishma, Drona, Vidura and Dhritarashtra all agreed with Krishna and asked Duryodhana for restraint.

Duryodhana’s response to the wise counsel was harsh in tone and point blank in its message. He said that Krishna wrongly implicated him saying that he was the wrong doer. In fact, he had gained all that the Pandavas possessed by the honest ways. He would not give away even a needle point of land without a fight.

At that point Krishna gave up his conciliatory approach. He rebuked Duryodhana for all the cruel and conceited ways by which the Kaurava had inflicted great hardships on the Pandavas. Duryodhana’s anger flared up when he heard this. He left the assembly along with his supporters in contempt for all who were present.

Krishna, then, addressed Dhritarashtra. He said that the whole Kaurava race was going to be destroyed on account of his son. The only way out was to sacrifice his son to save the rest. Krishna tried to impress on the king that he should hand the four evil doers on the Kaurava side, Duryodhana, Dussasana, Sakuni and Karna, over to the Pandavas to save the situation.

Dhritarashtra sensed that the situation was beyond his control. He sent for his wife, the venerable Gandhari. The wise lady called upon her son to her side and requested him not destroy the entire country on account of his greed. But, even her wise counsel had no effect on the adamant Duryodhana.

Meanwhile, Dussasana reported Krishna’s last demand for imprisoning them to his brother. But, Duryodhana already had hatched a plan in his mind. He took his supporters, Sakuni, Karna and Dussasana, into confidence on this. His idea was to tie up Krishna and throw him into the Kaurava prison. Without Krishna the Pandavas would be powerless.
Satyaki was watching every move of Duryodhana as he had suspected possible foul play right from the beginning. He got tips of the Kaurava’s plan to imprison Krishna and gave immediate orders for the Yadava army to get into battle array to face the Kauravas. Then, he reported the matter to Krishna. Krishna smiled at his friend and waited nonchalantly for Duryodhana to re-enter the assembly.

Krishna displays his ‘real form’

When Duryodhana entered the assembly Krishna laughed at him and said. “Duryodhana, you think that I am alone and helpless. Have a close look at me and discover for yourself who I really am!”

What Duryodhana found in the person of Krishna was not the body of the Yadava prince. The outer form showed Krishna bearing four arms holding the four weapons of Vishnu. But, within that form emerged the entire universe. Duryodhana could see gods, sages and the demons there. The entire human race appeared to be part of Krishna. All the Kauravas and Pandavas seemed to emerge from Krishna’s divine body. It was a sight enough to unnerve even the elders on the Kaurava side, like Bhishma and Drona. All shut their eyes firmly unable to bear the frightening sight. Krishna gave temporary sight to the blind eyes of Dhritarashtra to view his divine form. The old king was beyond himself and, unable to look at Krishna any longer, requested him to turn him blind again.

When Krishna knew that he had the desired effect on all who had assembled he changed back to his normal form and announced that he tried his best to avoid war. Duryodhana, in stead of listening to reason, was trying to harm him. With those words he left the assembly hall and went to meet Kunti, again.

Kunti had only one parting message for her sons, that it was time for them to fight for their rights. She narrated the story of a royal woman by name Vidula who persuaded her son to return to the battle field when he had come back defeated.

(We end the present chapter with the next episode, on Kunti meeting her eldest son)

Krishna in Hastinapuram

Dhritarashtra heard about Krishna’s visit to talk peace with him and thought of pleasing him by all possible ways. He asked Duryodhana to build beautiful places all along the way for Krishna to rest. But, Krishna guessed the motive of the Kauravas and ignored the superficial hospitality. Instead, he chose to accept the treats offered by the common people to spend the night on the way. He reached Hastinapura the next morning and went straight to meet Dhritarashtra.

People thronged on both the sides of the passage through which Krishna travelled to the palace. They greeted the visiting Yadava prince by showering flowers all along his path.

Meanwhile, Dhritarashtra confided with the elders in the assembly of the Kauravas that he would offer valuable gifts to Krishna and thereby win his friendship on behalf of his sons. But, Vidura said that it was vain to think that Krishna could be won that way. He would come asking for the rightful share of the kingdom for the Pandavas. Nothing else would please him.

Krishna with Kunti

Krishna greeted Dhritarashtra with due respect. All except Duryodhana and his close associates were present in the hall at that time. Dhritarashtra offered a luxurious palace for Krishna to stay. But, Krishna ignored the offer and proceeded to the house of Vidura. He knew that the latter would be sincere in his dealings with him. Besides, Kunti, his aunt and the mother of the Pandavas , has been living there for the past thirteen years, ever since her sons went in exile.
Krishna greeted his aunt and received a warm welcome from her. Kunti said that it was time for her sons to act. The moment came for which royal mothers bore sons, the time to fight a just war. Krishna consoled her that her days of sorrow would soon end.

Krishna with Duryodhana

Krishna announced that he was going to meet Duryodhana next. Vidura warned him that the Kaurava would employ tricks to keep Krishna away from the Pandavas. But, Krishna said that trying for peace at all costs was his most important mission.

Krishna went to Duryodhana and greeted him cordially. After exchanging greetings Duryodhana invited Krishna for food with him. But, Krishna turned down the offer and returned to Vidura. He spent the night with his host and with his aunt.


In the Kaurava assembly

Dhritarashtra sent Duryodhana and Sakuni to invite Krishna to the assembly next morning. All stood up as Krishna entered he hall. Dhritarashtra offered a specially decorated throne for the Yadava prince to sit. When all had taken their seats after him Krishna spoke. He addressed Dhritarashtra and spoke calmly and directly on the issue.

Krishna said that he came to avoid the total destruction of the Pandavas and Kauravas. He did not hesitate to pin point the root cause of the problem, the unbridled greed of Duryodhana to covet for wealth that did not belong to him and his deceitful ways of acquiring that. There was still scope for negotiation and avoid the impending war. It was futile even to dream of victory against the formidable Pandavas led by the invincible Arjuna. War would cause the death of all his sons and the total destruction of his subjects. What was required on the part of the Kaurava king was to talk sense to his sons and make sure that they returned what was due for the Pandavas.

When Krishna stopped talking Parasurama appeared on the scene. He supported Krishna and told all who were present about the earlier (divine) birth of Krishna and Arjuna. In the process, he narrated the story of Dambhodbhava to drive the point that the pair, Krishna and Arjuna, would always remain invincible.

Sage Kanva was present in the hall at that time. He also supported Krishna and Parasurama on the importance of avoiding war and narrated the story of Matali’s (Indra’s charioteer) search for a groom for his daughter. The sage told the story to illustrate the point that restraint was better than hasty action. But, Duryodhana said, in reply, that he would act as per his own temperament.

Sage Narada who was present told the story of Galava to illustrate that adamant behavior could cause disaster.

(We continue with the peace talks in the next episode)

Krishna as emissary

After Sanjaya left, Yudhishthira lamented in front of Krishna. He would have liked to avert a war that would be a disaster. But, Sanjaya had offered nothing tangible at all in return. What should the Pandavas do? How would they live on without any land or resources?

Krishna was frank and forthright in his reply. He said that the war would be inevitable. But, he would go himself to talk sense to the Kauravas as the last effort for peace. Yudhishthira was apprehensive of Krishna going alone to the Kauravas. The mood of Duryodhana and his antipathy to Krishna were quite evident. He did not want Krishna to face danger on his account.
To Yudhishthira’s anxiety Krishna replied. “Do not worry about me. If I am provoked, even all the kings together on earth will be no match for me. If the Kauravas dare to play mischief with me, I shall burn the lot down to ashes.”

Bhima in a submissive mood

It was not the ususal ebullient Bhima who spoke to Krishna when the latter was about to leave for Hastinapura. The Pandava wanted to avoid war, if possible. He feared total destruction at the end. Krishna had to tease Bhima and provoke him to be ready for an eventual war.

Even Nakula was apprehensive of war. Arjuna was also not quite happy about war, but, did not see any alternative to it.

Krishna found only two among the Pandava side who were ready for action and for punishing the evil Kauravas for all their misdeeds. They were Sahadeva and Sathyaki.

The smoking volcano

Draupadi was like a volcano who was ready to erupt in spite of her outward serene appearance. She asked Krishna to try for peace as war would be disastrous. Then, after speaking calmly about the dangers of war, she took her heavy curls of thick black hair in hand and showed them to Krishna. She had not tied her hair since the day Dussasana pulled her by it into the Kaurava assembly. It was her pledge that Bhima would tie her hair again with the blood of Dussasana.
She had heard all that her husbands spoke as message to the Kauravas. She said. “Vain is the strength of Bhima and so is the valour of Arjuna as Duyodhana lives on even after doing all his evil and cruel acts against us. Even if my husbands are reluctant to face the Kauravas, my five valiant sons would take revenge on my behalf along with Abhimanyu.”

Krishna consoled her that her grievance would be redressed and that all the hundred Kauravas would soon be killed in battle.

With those words Krishna got into a well decorated chariot along with Satyaki and set forth in the direction of Hastinapura.